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With around 300 inches of snow and more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the mountain town of Vail in Colorado is understandably one of the most premium winter sports destinations in the world.
However, you may not know that Vail is more than just a world-famous skier’s paradise. There are also countless things to do during the summer and shoulder seasons.
If you’re planning to visit Vail, bookmark this article. Here are the can’t-miss things to do in Vail, Colorado.
Orientating Yourself in Vail
Vail, Colorado, is a small town sitting at the base of Vail Mountain. Set among the White River National Forest, Vail is home to a huge ski resort and is one of the most popular places in North America to ski and snowboard.
A Skier’s Paradise
Vail had its first ski season in 1962 after soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division returned to Colorado following World War II with the intention of opening a resort. Since then, the destination has become globally recognized as one of the best winter sports locations globally, with around 1.3 million tourists visiting each year.
How To Get There
Vail is easy to get to and is served by two airports: Eagle Regional Airport, 30 miles west of Vail, and Denver International Airport, 120 miles east of Vail.
Both have direct flights from major cities and regional airports throughout the US and beyond. If you’re planning on driving, the journey boasts epic scenery of the Rocky Mountains, making the journey almost as exciting as the destination. The I-70 is the direct route into Vail and is the road you’ll want to take to get into town.
Now, let’s get into those can’t-miss things to do in Vail.
Get Active
With its picturesque peaks, crystal clear rivers, and red-rock canyons, Vail offers breathtaking beauty and a wealth of fun activities for nature lovers. From hiking to mountain biking to fishing and more, Vail has something for everyone!
Vail Epic Discovery
If adrenaline is your thing, add Lionshead Village’s Epic Discovery to your vacation itinerary. Epic Discovery is open from June to September, so it is perfect for summer visits and when the snow disappears.
The activities at Vail Epic Discovery are seemingly endless. They include racing through the forest on the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, Paramount Peak Climbing Wall, Eagle’s Nest Tubing Hill, and a Bungee Trampoline.
Guests can also tackle the adventure course, one of the best rope courses in Colorado, or soar high above the treeline on seven super-fast ziplines on the Game Creek Zipline tour.
Slightly more relaxing is the scenic gondola ride up the mountain from Lionshead and Vail Village. At the top, you’ll find spectacular views, fun activities, and several dining options. The gondolas also provide access to a great network of hiking and biking trails.
This is also an excellent spot for families with kids, and the little ones in your group can tackle the kids’ tubing hill, climbing wall, and several other activities designed for young visitors. And what’s perhaps best about Epic Discovery is that it partners with The Nature Conservancy, which helps to promote the growth and preservation of Vail’s natural environment.
Vail Ski Resort
If you’re heading to Vail during winter, chances are that you’re planning to ski. The Vail Ski Resort is one of North America’s top resorts, with over 5,000 skiable acres and a huge variety of terrains.
Visitors can ski and snowboard during winter and try their hand at tubing, ski-biking, and snowmobiling. There’s also plenty to do in summer, such as zip-lining, hiking, and adventure courses.
The resort has three restaurants, including Game Creek Club, a highly popular fine dining experience set in a mountain chalet. There’s also Bistro Fourteen for more casual meals and The 10th, an on-mountain spot for quick bites.
If you prefer to spend your time relaxing rather than racing down mountains, check out Vail Ski Resort’s luxurious spa and its wide array of treatments and experiences.
Lift tickets, lodgings, lessons, and equipment rental are all available on the ski resort’s website, and lift tickets are refundable if your plans change.
Fat Tire Biking
Fans of biking rejoice! Thanks to fat tire biking, it’s entirely possible to bike in winter. Fat tire bikes are used for biking over soft and unstable surfaces such as snow because their oversized tires and wide rims help them to grip the slippery surface better.
Vail Nordic Center (which becomes Vail Golf Course in the summer) is the best place to start because it has 8 miles of trails groomed especially for fat tire snow bikes. If you’re new to the sport, lessons and rentals are available here.
Vail Stables
Release your inner cowboy at Vail Stables, a small and rustic outdoor adventure spot. Situated about a mile northwest of Vail, this fun independent company specializes in horseback riding. Whether you’re a pro rider or a first-timer, you can enjoy a day in the great outdoors in complete comfort and safety.
The trails wind up and down mountainous terrain and take in dense forests and wide vistas along steep cliffs. These aspen glades and sweeping views make for some of the most spectacular scenery in Colorado and are worthy of a selfie or two.
Vail Stable also offers what it calls Goat Activities. Whether you’ve always wanted to do goat yoga (goga) or you’d love to hang out with 20 baby goats while you drink a beer, you can do it here. The Crooked Cow Saloon does a great happy hour, too, and kids can enjoy parent-led pony rides around the beer garden.
Vail Stable is open from May to October each year, making it a great summer activity. Reservations are required, and horse riding spots book up quickly, so plan in advance.
Explore The Outdoors
This picturesque mountain town offers visitors breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains, along with plenty of thrilling outdoor activities to explore. From taking long hikes on scenic trails and horseback riding trips through the wilderness to fishing in pristine alpine lakes, there’s something for everyone looking to reconnect with nature.
Vail Nature Center
The Vail Nature Center is located in a 1940s homestead situated among a rolling mountain meadow and Gore Creek’s dense forest, just beside the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.
With seven acres to explore and to be close to the heart of Vail, this is a great place to explore spectacular trailheads when the snow is clearing. Inside, several exhibits and a team of knowledgeable staff are on hand to help you learn more about Vail’s stunning natural scenery.
Programs available at the nature center include trekking, birding, beaver pond tours, stargazing, wildflower viewing, and creekside nature tours. Visitors are welcome to enjoy this activity for free, but donations are welcome. If you don’t have a vehicle, the nature center is also accessible from Vail Village by bus.
Booth Falls Trail
If you’re visiting Vail during the shoulder season or in summer, pack away your skis and strap on your hiking boots to explore the Booth Falls Trail. There are dozens of hiking trails in the mountainous terrain of Vail, but Booth Falls is not to be missed.
This challenging trek is a 10-mile, out-and-back walk that gains around 3,000 feet in elevation. During the challenging climb, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most spectacular views of lakes, waterfalls, and aspen forests.
If you aren’t up to the full 10-mile hike, you’re in luck! Just two miles along the trailhead is the breathtaking 60-foot waterfall that the trail is named after. However, if you keep going, you’ll discover Booth Lake, atmospheric pine forests, soaring peaks, and beautiful wildflowers.
Ask your hotel or Airbnb host for information on this hike, or check out All Trails for details of the route.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens aims to promote a deeper understanding of conservation for the fragile mountain environment and its alpine plants.
There are five distinct botanical gardens for visitors to explore: the Children’s Garden, Schoolhouse Garden, Mountain Perennial Garden, Meditation Garden, and Alpine Rock Garden. In addition, there is an amphitheater, museum, and gift shop to check out.
The education center is another fascinating part of this attraction and features a state-of-the-art alpine house, a rooftop terrace, and a pollinator garden. If you’d like to take a tour, there are public and private ones throughout summer, and in the winter, guests can enjoy a self-guided snowshoe tour.
There are seasonal highlights on the program every month of the year, making this a great year-round activity. The site is open daily from dawn until dusk (the education center is open from 10 am to 4 pm), and admission is free, but a $20 donation is suggested.
Tour Vail’s Museums and Theatres
Offering world-class museums, galleries, and amphitheaters, this breathtaking destination provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore new cultures from around the world.
Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall of Fame
Colorado’s winter sports scene is legendary, so it makes sense that Vail would be home to a museum that tells the exhilarating story of its rise in popularity. Tucked in Vail Village, the Colorado Snowsports Museum & Hall of Fame is the perfect introduction to the storied sports history of this area.
Through historical artifacts and immersive displays, guests can learn the incredible story of how Vail came to be what it is today, beginning with the 10th Mountain Division: the brave Word War II mountain troopers who made the town what it is now.
Colorado’s iconic winter sports heroes are displayed and celebrated in the Hall of Fame. The exhibit delves into the daredevils that have conquered the state’s highest peaks, and the interactive ‘Ski Resorts Table’ highlights the 26 active ski areas that tourists flock from far and wide to enjoy.
The Colorado Snowsports Museum also delves into Vail Valley and the rise of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado. Visitors are invited to experience its impressive transformation from a sleepy mountain destination to one of the best spots in the world for winter sports. The team behind the museum says that “celebrating these stories is vital to preserving the legacy of our sport,” and we are inclined to agree.
The museum is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm and is free to enter. Free parking is available in the Vail Village Parking Structure from November to April.
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater (The Amp)
Known as The Amp, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is a popular outdoor venue where visitors can enjoy musical performances and more.
The venue attracts world-class musical talent, including rock bands and orchestras, and is also the location of the legendary Vail Dance Festival. Weekly free Hot Summer Nights concerts always draw a good crowd, and local chorale and theater presentations can regularly be found on the program.
The mountainous slope of the venue gives great views of the stage and the surrounding forest of the Rocky Mountains, making for a unique live music experience that every Vail visitor should experience. The venue can host just over 2,500 guests, and the covered Pavilion area seats 1,265 people at any one time.
Check the website for the calendar and to buy tickets.
Wander Downtown
From looking out over pristine ski hills to tasting delicious local cuisine, Downtown Vail is a great spot to spend a day exploring.
Sonnenalp Spa
Set in the heart of Vail Village in the Sonnenalp Hotel, the Sonnenalp Spa is the best spot to relax and unwind. This tranquil facility is perfect for some R&R all year round and includes indoor and outdoor tranquility pools, a riverfront sun deck, and a summer pool bar.
A wide range of treatments is available, including facials, facial enhancements, massage treatments, waxing, and tinting. A fantastic fitness center is also open from 6 am to 10 pm daily and has all the equipment needed for a great workout.
Tip: If you’re having trouble with altitude sickness or need an energy boost, check out the spa’s oxygen bar. This treatment produces 94.7% oxygen which helps alleviate symptoms, including shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and nausea.
Vail Village & Lionshead Village
The Villages of Vail have enough fun things to do to be considered tourist attractions themselves. There are dozens of shops, art galleries, attractions to enjoy, and countless eateries.
Spend a full day wandering and browsing to soak up the atmosphere, or check out the regular Vail farmers’ markets to buy souvenirs for friends and family back home. During winter, Vail Square is also the location of an ice skating rink which is the perfect evening activity for all ages.
Tip: while you’re strolling around, look out for the public art in the streets and the engraved stones with riddles and rebuses.
Escape Room Vail
For days when the weather isn’t good, summon your inner detective and see if you can make it out of Escape Room Vail.
If you haven’t done one before, you and your group are locked in a themed room and must find your way out by using clues, solving riddles, and cracking codes to escape in time before time runs out. The rooms are designed for ages six and up, costing $40 per person.
Eat and Drink Around Vail
Although Vail is mainly known for its outdoor pursuits, it has a vibrant food scene that can’t be missed. The following spots are some of Vail’s most-loved, top-rated dining options.
10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company
- $$
- Address: 227 Bridge Street, Vail
- Website: 10thwhiskey.com
On those freezing Colorado nights, nothing is more warming than a drink or two. Head to 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company if you’re into your spirits. This tasting room is bursting with award-winning bottles of rye, bourbon, moonshine, potato vodka, and the locally-produced Alpenglow cordial.
Set in the heart of Vail Village, this cozy lounge has comfortable pub-style seating and boasts excellent views of Gore Creek. Choose from a spirit flight to try different blends, select a barrel-aged cocktail from the extensive list, or buy a bottle to take home. There’s also a range of merch, apparel, and cigars on offer to buy while you’re there.
10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company’s tasting room is open daily 11 am – 11 pm, and reservations aren’t necessary unless you’re in a large group.
Leonora Restaurant at The Sebastian Hotel
- $$$$
- Address: 16 Vail Road, Vail
- Website: thesebastianvail.com/experience/leonora
This fine dining take on an American steakhouse is located in The Sebastian Hotel in Vail Village.
The menu uses fresh, local, and organic ingredients and has been designed tapas-style, to be enjoyed as a series of sharable small plates. Large plates are also available, such as New York strip steaks, juicy lobster, and a few vegetarian dishes.
There’s also a great wine list and a wide selection of beers, cocktails, and seltzers. Reservations are recommended.
Montauk Seafood Grill
- $$$$
- Address: 549 E Lionshead Circle, Vail
- Website: montaukvail.com/
Montauk Seafood Grill combines classic American seafood with fine dining to deliver an experience not to be missed. This establishment has been open since 1987, and its beautiful setting in Lionshead Village keeps guests returning.
There are many classics on the menu, including New England clam chowder and pan-roasted Chilean seabass, as well as plenty of more avant-garde options such as steamed Alaskan crab with buttermilk potatoes and tuna poke tacos.
There are also several fantastic meat options on the menu if some of your party aren’t seafood lovers, and the kids’ menu is great, too. The team is also invested in supporting local businesses and sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices, giving you yet another reason to check this place out.
Matsuhisa
- $$$$
- Address: 141 E Meadow Drive, Vail
- Website: matsuhisarestaurants.com/vail/
You may be surprised to discover that Vail has a world-class sushi restaurant amongst its premium dining options. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened his restaurant in 2011, and since then, it has been consistently rated excellent by its loyal fans.
The menu focuses on new-style Japanese cuisine, pulling from Chef Nobu’s classic Tokyo training while giving clear nods to his travels through Latin America and beyond. Try the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño or black cod miso for a memorable meal.
Matsuhisa boasts beautifully rustic styling and is located in the five-star Solaris development.
Reservations are recommended.
The Little Diner
- $$ – $$$
- Address: 616 W Lionshead Circle, Vail
- Website: thelittlediner.com
If you’re looking for a great brunch, The Little Diner is the place to be. Located at the West Lionshead Plaza bus stop, this central spot serves the hearty food needed before a day on the slopes.
Every dish is made from scratch, and you can watch them working on your order in the open kitchen. Try the specialty German pancakes or homemade biscuits and sausage gravy: you won’t be disappointed.
The Little Diner is open daily, 7 am to 2 pm. Breakfast is served all day, and lunch is available after 11.30 am. Reservations aren’t needed.
Bully Ranch
- $$ – $$$
- Address: 20 Vail Road, Vail
- Website: sonnenalp.com/dining/bully-ranch/
For a laid-back gastropub vibe, you can’t go wrong with Bully Ranch. This popular spot is located in the luxurious Sonnenalp Hotel and is a great establishment to gather with friends and family for lunch, dinner, or drinks.
The hearty menu is ideal for big appetites. The wild boar nachos are to die for, and the baby back ribs are as succulent as they come. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, there’s a good selection of soups and salads. Many plates can be made vegan on request, and a separate kids’ menu is available.
There is Something For Everyone in Vail
These are the can’t-miss things to do in Vail, Colorado. Although many folks think Vail is only a winter destination, as you can see, there’s plenty to do all year round. This guide will guarantee a good time whenever you visit the Vail area.
